Tobacco bulk curing rack

ABSTRACT

A rack for holding tobacco leaves for bulk curing which includes a two-piece frame assembly which can be separated to insert and remove the tobacco leaves. One frame portion has two sets of parallel rods extending from a pair of rails for retaining the tobacco leaves in the rack and allowing air to circulate around the leaves during the curing process. A second frame portion is adapted to slide over the first frame portion to hold the tobacco leaves between the parallel sets of rods. A latch mechanism engages slots formed in end panels of the second frame portion to rigidly and removably attach the second frame portion to the first frame portion. The second frame portion also has a central lifting bracket to enable the assembly to be easily hoisted and handled by conventional hoisting machinery.

United States Patent 1191 Taylor et al.

[ TOBACCO BULK CURING RACK [75] Inventors: Oren Miller Taylor; Jimmy Nathan Taylor, both of Elizabethtown, NC.

[73] Assignee: Taylor Tractor & Implement Co.,

Elizabethtown, NC.

22 Filed: May 15, 1973 21 Appl. No.2 360,510

[52] US. Cl. 294/5.5, 24/230 F, 211/59, 214/55 [51] Int. Cl A24b 1/08 [58] Field of Search 294/55; 214/55; 211/59,

211/124, 8; 24/230 F, 230 CF, 230 LP, 230- BC, 230 AK, 230 B Apr. 30, 1974 Primary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter Assistant Examiner-Jeffrey V. Nase Attorney, Agent, or FirmSughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn & Macpeak ABSTRACT rods. A latch mechanism engages slots formed in end panels of the second frame portion to rigidly and removably attach the second frame portion to the first frame portion. The second frame portion also has a central lifting bracket to enable the assembly to be easily hoisted and handled by conventional hoisting machinery.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,244,445 4/1966 Wilson ..294/55 3,134,583 5/1964 Wils0n.... ..294/55 3,229,831 l/l966 Long 29415.5

TOBACCO BULK CURING RACK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an open rack assembly for holding tobacco leaves during curing thereof, which allows for full circulation of air around the tobacco leaves, while directing air through the leaves.

2. Description of the Prior Art The constructions of racks for holding and transporting goods and articles are many and varied. In the specialized field of tobacco growing, racks have been designed to transport tobacco from the field of the barns,

while other rack constructions have been proposed for holding the leaves during curing in the barn. The racks used to transport the leaves from the field to the barn are generally of a closed construction, thus necessitating a transfer of the leaves to a second rack which is designed to allow air to circulate around the leaves.

More recently, tobacco rack constructions have been proposed with open sides and ends and which can be used to transport the tobacco leaves from the field and then loaded into a curing barn. One example of such tobacco leaf rack construction is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,244,445 to R.W. Wilson.

However, the prior art rack constructions have had some drawbacks to their use. For example, the racks generally require the use of two hoist points one at each end, to lift the loaded rack. In addition, the latching devices used to secure the two parts of the rack assembly together are located on the exterior surface and, since they are usually of the spring-type construction, and are therefore subject to being hit, thus causing the rack to be opened and allow the tobacco leaves to fall out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION provides a single, simple and easy to use hoisting connection which eliminates the requirement of two separate connections, while still permitting a level positioning of the loaded rack with a single hoist support.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be seen upon viewing the accompanying figures and reading the description thereof contained in the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the rack assembly according to the present invention in the disassembled state;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the rack assembly according to the present invention showing the rack sections in their assembled and latched state;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the latch assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the single hoisting connection of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the end plates showing a top view of the latch assembly of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the tobacco rack assembly 2, according to the present invention, is made up of a first rack'section 4 and a second rack section 6. The rack sections 4 and 6 are constructed in such a manner as to be removably connected together to retain tobacco leaves within the two sections and allow heated air to circulate between the leaves.

The first rack section 4 is made up of two tubular rails 8, which are positioned parallel to each other and spaced apart the desired width of the rack. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the first pair of tubular rails 8 can be square in cross-section. However, any desired crosssectional configuration, including a solid rod or bar, may also be used, if desired.

A first pair of end plates 10 are attached to the ends of the'first pair of frame rails 8 by any suitable method, such as welding. As shown in FIG. 1, the end plates 10 are attached to the rails 8 along one edge and extend in the direction of the second frame portion 6.

Each of the rails 8 has a plurality of rods or tubular members 11 extending therefrom at right angles, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. The ends of the rods 11 may be secured to the rails 8 by any suitable method, such as welding, or by attaching with threads and nuts (not shown).

Each end plate 10 of the first frame portion 4 has an edge portion 12 formed on the rear thereof and a sec- 0nd, or front edge portion 14 formed along the opposite, or front edge. The edge portions 12 and 14 are formed at right angles to the end plate 10 and extend in the direction of the opposite end plate. The edges of the edge portions 12 and 14 adjacent the frame rails 8 are secured thereto by welding to form a rigid assembly.

Each of the front edge portions 14 of the first pair of end plates 10 has a notch 16 cut therein, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, to allow a latch member 20 to protrude therethrough for latching the first and second frame portions 4 and '6 together.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 5, the latch assembly of the present invention consists of a rectangular latch portion 20, formed of spring steel or similar material, attached to the interior surface of the first pair of end plates 10 by a pivot mount 22 and suitable securing means, such as lock nuts or welding. The end of the latch portion 20 is retained and prevented from movement around the pivot mount 22 by means of a U- shaped retaining bracket 24, as may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. The retaining bracket 24 is welded to the inner surface of the end plates 10. This latch construction permits the latch portion 20 to be easily replaced or repaired if it should be damaged or in some way fail to operate.

Again referring to FIG. 1, the second frame portion 6 consists of a second pair of frame rails 30 which are positioned parallel to and spaced apart from each other a distance corresponding to the distance between the first pair of frame rails 8. A plate 32 of a second pair of end plates is rigidly attached to each end of the second frame rails 30 by welding. If desired, a crossbracket 33 may be welded to each of the frame rails 30 and to the edge of the end plates 32, as shown in FIG. 1.

The second pair of end plates 32 have front and rear edge portions 34 formed along opposing edges at right angles to the plate 32. These edge portions 34 face in the direction of the opposite end of the assembly and are secured to the corresponding frame rails 30 by welding to form a rigid assembly.

The front edge portions 34 corresponding to the front edge portions 14 of the first frame portion 4 have notches cut therein, into which the latch portion 20 locks when the first and second frame portions 4 and 6 are placed together to hold the frame portions in an assembled relationship.

The distance between the inner surfaces of the second pair of end panels 32 is slightly greaterthan the distance between the outer surface of the first pair of end plates 10 to permit the first frame portion 4 to fit within the second frame portion. correspondingly, the distance between the inner surfaces of the second set of edge portions 34 is greater than the distance between the outer surfaces of the first pair of edge portions 12 and 14 of the first frame portion.

The second frame portion 6 has a lift plate 38 rigidly attached to the frame rails 30 midway along their lengths. One end of the lift plate extends outwardly of the frame rails so that it will protrude between two adjacent rods 11 of the first frame portion 4, as shown in FIG. 4. The protruding portion of the lift plate 38 has a hole 40 formed therethrough for attachment to a suitable latch or hook of a hoisting apparatus. The corners of the edge of the lift plate 38 extending toward the first pair of frame rails 8 are notched to allow the edges of the plate 38 to be placed between the rails 8, as shown in FIG. 4, so that the lifting force of the plate 38 will be distributed to both frame portions.

If desired, the notched edge portions 34 of the second frame section 6 may have their outermost corners beveled, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to provide a ramp for guiding the latch portions onto the edge portions 34 and onto the slots 36.

In operation, the frame portions 4 and 6 are separated in the tobacco field and the tobacco leaves, after being removed from the tobacco stalk, are placed between the two sets of rods 11 of the first frame portion 4. After the frame portion 4 has been filled with tobacco leaves, the'second frame portion 6 is moved into position adjacent the first frame portion 4 and the two units are moved toward each other. The latch portions 20 will be moved over the tapered comers of the outer edge portions 34 and engage the slots 36 to securely hold the filled rack frame portions together.

The assembled and filled rack assembly 2 can then be lifted onto a suitable trailer or transporting means by hooking a single hook of a hoisting means through the hole 40 of the lift plate 38. During transportation from the field to the curing barn, the possibility of accidentally disengaging the latches is greatly reduced, since the latch assemblies are mounted on the interior of the end plates 10 of the first frame portion.

Various changes and modifications can be made to tlOn.

the subject embodiment within the scope of this inven- What is claimed is:

l. A rack for holding tobacco leaves comprising a first frame section and a second frame section, said first frame section and second frame sections'adapted to be removably assembled together, said first frame section comprising a first pair of parallel, spaced-apart rails, a plurality of rods having one end attached to said rails and extending therefrom parallel to each other in the direction of said second frame section, a first pair of end plates attached to the ends of said first pair of rails at right angles thereto and extending in the direction of said plurality of rods, each of said first pair of end plates having two edge portions formed at right angles thereto, said edge portions being attached to each of said rails and extending in the direction of the opposite end plate, a notch formed in one edge portion of each end plate extending from the same rail, and a latch assembly mounted on the inner surface of each of said first pair of end plates, each of said latch assemblies having a latch portion extending through said slots; said second frame section comprising a second pair of parallel, spaced-apart frame rails, 21 second pair of end plates, each of said second pair of end plates being rigidly attached along one. edge to one end of said second pair of frame rails, respectively, said second pair of end plates being positioned at right angles to. said second pair of frame rails and extending toward said first frame section, the distance between the inner surfaces of said I second pair of end plates being greater than the distance between the outer surface of said first pair of end plates, each plate of said second pair of end plates having an edge portion formed at right angles to said end plate and extending toward the opposite end at right angles to said second pair of frame rails along the same rail, the edge portions of said second pair of end plates having a slot therein to align with said latch portions, whereby, when said first and second frame sections are moved toward each other, said latch portions will engage the slots in said edge portions of said second pair of end plates and rigidly connect said first and second frame portions together.

2. A rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said latch assembly further comprises a retaining bracket mounted on the inner surface of each plate of said first pair of end plates adjacent the edge portion opposite the slot, and a pivot mount extending inwardly from each plate of said first pair of end plates, said pivot mount positioned between said bracket and said edge portion having the slot formed therein, said latch portion having a rectangular configuration and being pivotably attached to said mount, one end of said latch portion being retained within said retaining bracket and the other end extending through said slot.

3. A rack as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a lift plate rigidly attached to said second pair of rails between said plates of said second pair of end plates, one end of said liftplate extending between two adjacent rods attached to said first pair of rails of said first frame section, an opening formed through said end of said lift plate extending between said rods for attaching a lifting device to said assembled rack.

4. A rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ends of said edge portions of said second pair of end plates opposite said second pair of frame rails are formed at an angle to allow said latch portions to slide over said edge portions and engage the slots therein. 

1. A rack for holding tobacco leaves comprising a first frame section and a second frame section, said first frame section and second frame sections adapted to be removably assembled together, said first frame section comprising a first pair of parallel, spaced-apart rails, a plurality of rods having one end attached to said rails and extending therefrom parallel to each other in the direction of said second frame section, a first pair of end plates attached to the ends of said first pair of rails at right angles thereto and extending in the direction of said plurality of rods, each of said first pair of end plates having two edge portions formed at right angles thereto, said edge portions being attached to each of said rails and extending in the direction of The opposite end plate, a notch formed in one edge portion of each end plate extending from the same rail, and a latch assembly mounted on the inner surface of each of said first pair of end plates, each of said latch assemblies having a latch portion extending through said slots; said second frame section comprising a second pair of parallel, spaced-apart frame rails, a second pair of end plates, each of said second pair of end plates being rigidly attached along one edge to one end of said second pair of frame rails, respectively, said second pair of end plates being positioned at right angles to said second pair of frame rails and extending toward said first frame section, the distance between the inner surfaces of said second pair of end plates being greater than the distance between the outer surface of said first pair of end plates, each plate of said second pair of end plates having an edge portion formed at right angles to said end plate and extending toward the opposite end at right angles to said second pair of frame rails along the same rail, the edge portions of said second pair of end plates having a slot therein to align with said latch portions, whereby, when said first and second frame sections are moved toward each other, said latch portions will engage the slots in said edge portions of said second pair of end plates and rigidly connect said first and second frame portions together.
 2. A rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said latch assembly further comprises a retaining bracket mounted on the inner surface of each plate of said first pair of end plates adjacent the edge portion opposite the slot, and a pivot mount extending inwardly from each plate of said first pair of end plates, said pivot mount positioned between said bracket and said edge portion having the slot formed therein, said latch portion having a rectangular configuration and being pivotably attached to said mount, one end of said latch portion being retained within said retaining bracket and the other end extending through said slot.
 3. A rack as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a lift plate rigidly attached to said second pair of rails between said plates of said second pair of end plates, one end of said lift plate extending between two adjacent rods attached to said first pair of rails of said first frame section, an opening formed through said end of said lift plate extending between said rods for attaching a lifting device to said assembled rack.
 4. A rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ends of said edge portions of said second pair of end plates opposite said second pair of frame rails are formed at an angle to allow said latch portions to slide over said edge portions and engage the slots therein. 